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- Last Updated 18/02/2025
Proficiency testing (PT) is the assessment of the performance of participants against established criteria through interlaboratory comparison. [Source: TCVN ISO/IEC 17025:2017, 3.5].
Interlaboratory comparison (IC) is the implementation and evaluation of measurements or tests on the same or similar objects by two or more laboratories under predetermined conditions. [Source: TCVN ISO/IEC 17025:2017, 3.3].
Importance of proficiency testing
PT is one of the important tools of accreditation organizations, state management agencies and customers to assess the technical competence of testing laboratories and calibration laboratories (labs), and also helps labs in quality control activities as well as demonstrating technical competence to interested parties.
The need for proficiency testing
1. The laboratories wishes to demonstrate their technical competence in accordance with the requirements of ISO/IEC 17025:2017.
Ensuring the validity of test results is a mandatory requirement when the laboratory wishes to demonstrate its technical competence in accordance with the requirements of ISO/IEC 17025:2017 General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories. In requirement 7.7.2: The laboratory shall monitor its performance through comparison with the results of other laboratories, where available and appropriate. This monitoring shall be planned, reviewed and shall include, but not be limited to, the selection of one or both of the following: a) participation in proficiency testing (by a proficiency testing provider meeting the requirements of ISO/IEC 17043); b) participation in other forms of interlaboratory comparisons other than proficiency testing.
2. PTN wants to be designated as a testing organization by a competent management agency
According to Point b), Clause 1, Article 18a of Decree No. 74/2018/ND-CP dated May 15, 2018 on amending and supplementing a number of articles of Decree No. 132/2008/ND-CP dated December 31, 2008 of the Government detailing the implementation of a number of articles of the Law on product and goods quality: laboratory must conduct proficiency testing or inter-laboratory comparison for the testing method of the registered product or goods.
3. Food safety laboratories wishing to be designated as testing facilities serving state management of food safety
According to the provisions of Clause 5, Article 5. Requirements on the capacity of food testing facilities serving state management in Circular No. 20/2013/TTLT-BYT-BCT-BNNPTNT dated August 1, 2013 (Regulations on conditions, procedures for designating food testing facilities serving state management), the laboratory must have: Proficiency test results or inter-laboratory comparisons meeting the requirements for at least one registered indicator/test method.
The National Institute for Food Control (NIFC) provides proficiency testing schemes
To support laboratories in self-assessing the competence, accuracy and reliability of testing results, NIFC has regularly organized proficiency testing and interlaboratory comparison programs since 2010. In 2017, the Institute was recognized by the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA) for its competence to organize proficiency testing in accordance with the requirements of ISO/IEC 17043:2010 with Certificate No. 4254.01 dated July 6, 2021, the scope of certification.
Confidentiality
All information about the participants in the proficiency testing program is kept confidential by NIFC. Information on the reports related to participants is shown by control codes. NIFC only provides information at the request of the management agency and experts of the accreditation organization when conducting ISO/IEC 17043 assessments at the NIFC.
For contact information related to PT and the scope of recognition, please contact and refer to the following address:
Quality Assurance Department - National Institute for Food Control
Address: No. 65 Pham Than Duat - Mai Dich - Cau Giay - Hanoi
Phone: 085 929 9595 - ext 3/ 0243.9331773/0243.9714512
Email: ptp.rm@nifc.gov.vn
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